Ron Clarke

Sidney Ronald Clarke (born 26 March 1914 in Oxford, England - 12 June 1981 ) was a former international speedway who qualified for the Speedway World Championship finals twice.

Career Clarke started his career in British leagues with Lea Bridge during the 1938 Speedway National League Division Two season. The following season he joined the Crystal Palace Glaziers but the team withdrew from the league mid-season, shortly before the outbreak of World War II.

In 1944, he was deemed to be the British champion after winning an event advertised as the British Championship but many riders were not involved because of the war.

In 1946 after the war, he joined Odsal Boomerangs of Bradford and would spend the rest of his career with Bradford.

Clarke qualified for two World finals in succession in 1949 and 1950 and at retirement he had earned 9 international caps for the England national speedway team.

World final appearances 1949 - London, Wembley Stadium - 7th - 8pts 1950 - London, Wembley Stadium - 14th - 3pts